UFC Fight Night 123: Swanson vs. Ortega
Date: December 9
Arena: Save Mart Center
City: Fresno, CA
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is will be traveling to Fresno, CA for the first time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 123: Swanson vs. Ortega. The stacked 13 fight card is set to kick off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET, and prelims will continue on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. The main card will get underway on the same channel at 10 p.m. If interested in wagering on any bouts for these fight cards, all betting lines are made available at Several Bookmakers. Bantamweight bout: Iuri Alcantara (-210) vs. Alejandro Perez (+165)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I see this is more of less a coin flip matchup in the UFC’s 135 pound division, so at the current odds, I like Perez for a wager, as I think he holds value and is the right side to align my wallet with. I see the majority, if not entirety of this bout taking place on the feet, where it could be anybody’s fight, but I edge with Perez doing enough to edge out a victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Gabe’s Call: Perez by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Guan (+130)
Middleweight bout: Trevin Giles (-250) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (+210)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this 185 pound contest is much closer than the betting odds indicate. In fact, I believe it is a coin flip matchup. That means I think Neto holds great value at his current offering price of +210, despite coming off an extended layoff. I see him outgrappling Giles for the first two rounds in this matchup, getting too tired to secure a takedown in the third round, getting outstruck on the feet but surviving to see a 29-28 unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. It is possible Giles could start taking over in the second round, but I think +210 is a number worth gambling on Neto’s cardio to hold up long enough. It is also possible that he could finish Giles by submission in this contest. I do believe Neto is a live dog here, and while being a fan of Giles, I can’t help but go against him with my wallet here, as the price is too good to pass up.
Gabe’s Call: Neto by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Neto (+210)
